Dying African-American Hair Blonde

Dying African-American hair blonde can be a very tricky process, but it is one that seems to be rising in popularity. Here are a few considerations if you're thinking about dying your hair blonde, as well as some suggestions on how you can get that drop-dead gorgeous look that really flows with your natural beauty.

Picking your color

Blonde comes in so many shades ranging from platinum to mouse-brown. The last thing you want is a head full of hair that looks like it exists despite your looks rather than because of them. Consider the exact color of your skin, and then pick a hair color that's a few shades lighter, or several lighter shades of the same color. In some cases, you may end up with more of a light brunette than peroxide blonde, but it will tie in with your overall look far better than some artificial color that's picked with no consideration for the person on whom it will be going.

Color distribution

One major mistake that a lot of women make when dying their African-American hair blonde is to create a solid, ash-blond look that completely covers up their dark roots. More often than not, the overall effect is a look that could be achieved with a cheap wig. Dyes should be used to accentuate your natural beauty, not completely cover it up. Consider streaks or highlights when you're dying your hair blonde; you may find that leaving some underlying or interspersed dark hair only enhances your look.

Steps in hair treatment

Especially if you've had chemical hair treatments in the past, such as relaxing, the dye process can be quite difficult to get the exact shade that you want. You may wish to start with a few streaks in your hair or some non-permanent dye in order to ensure that the resulting color is exactly what you want. Alternatively, have someone who is very experienced with your hair type do the procedure.

Because blonde is a light shade, you will need a base between your natural hair and the finished color. Start with a very light ash or platinum blonde, and then use a compatible dye of the color you'd like your hair to be. Bleaching or other lightening procedures may be required before the color will show up right.

Considerations in how and where you dye

While you can dye your hair blonde at home, it's not very advisable in this situation unless you've dyed your hair blonde in the past. African-American hair types are very difficult to dye with true colors, and a licensed and experienced stylist will be your best bet for hair that you really want to wear when you're done.

If you're uncertain about the color you'd like, there are several computer programs that will allow you to try on different looks before making them semi-permanent. Alternatively, you may wish to try wigs or extensions in the color you think you want first; then if you don't like it, you can take it off and try again.